The main objective of early childhood education and care (ECEC) is to meet children’s needs for care and play while promoting learning and holistic development.

ECEC is not compulsory in Norway, but children are entitled to a publicly subsidised kindergarten (‘barnehage’) place from the age of one. Children may attend ECEC (ISCED level 0) until the age of six, when they start primary school. Municipalities are responsible for allocating places and ensuring sufficient capacity to meet demand.

Most children attend centre-based kindergartens, although family kindergartens also exist to meet diverse family needs through home-based provision. Kindergartens fall under the Ministry of Education and Research, while the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training is responsible for their development.

The Framework Plan for Kindergartens defines learning content and tasks for the entire ECEC phase, covering both public and private, centre- and home-based provision. Around 50% of children attend private kindergartens, which receive the same municipal funding as public providers. Kindergarten owners are responsible for compliance with laws and regulations, while municipalities oversee inspection. Financial supervision of private kindergartens is carried out by the Directorate for Education and Training.